The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is pleased to invite you to join the Chamber Leadership Alliance’s (CLA’s) Chamber Leadership Development Program (CLDP) on Tuesday, August 2 from 1-4:30 p.m. PT at the 2022 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas. You can see more on each session below:

Session I – Chamber of Commerce: Budgeting and the Bottomline

Knowledge about budgeting and forecasting is imperative to determine smooth function of a chamber of commerce, as accurate forecasting leads to better financial management. Like any business, while running a chamber of commerce, one must account for resources and finance projects and programs. Budgeting is a tool to make sure the projects and programs meet their goals. In addition, a well-planned and developed fiscal policy should also be put in place.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PT

Session II – Developing a compelling communication plan: Branding & Marketing

A compelling communications and marketing plan, allows a successful execution of communication and marketing efforts of a chamber that support the organization’s mission and vision, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. This plan will ensure consistent and standardized themes, messages, tones, visuals and organization in all communication and marketing efforts, and it will assist in increasing overall awareness in the minds of the target audiences, consistently demonstrating the Chamber’s tremendous efforts to improve the economic environment. Learn how to develop a successful communication plan that provides a roadmap for the communication and marketing efforts that puts forth the branding of the chamber. 

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT

Please enter access code CLA22 at the payment page, in order to register.

The US Black Chambers, Inc (USBC) is pleased to invite you to join the Chamber Leadership Alliance’s (CLA’s) Chamber Leadership Development Program (CLDP) on Thursday, July 14 from 11-11:50 a.m. ET at the 2022 USBC National Conference & School of Chamber Management in Washington, D.C. at the Marriott Marquis.

You can see more on each session below:

Session I –  Access To Capital For Chambers

The United States has a wide range of funding sources available to businesses. However, getting money for business can be a challenge for any person, let alone a member of a community that has faced discrimination and bias over generations. To build strong businesses and strong communities, diverse small business owners need equitable access to capital. Come and learn how Chambers can lead in the area of accessing capital.

Thursday, July 14, 2022
11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. ET

Session II – Chamber Finance 101

This course provides an overview of fundamental concepts around managing the finances of chambers of commerce and other nonprofit organizations. Come and learn insight into the budget and finance basics contributing to a financially healthy nonprofit and share best practices to help strengthen your chamber.

Thursday, July 14, 2022
11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. ET

Meet Our Presenters

Cathy D. Adams is the president and chief executive officer of The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) 

Adams, the founder of CDA Consulting Group, an events management company, brings more than 25 years of extensive experience and knowledge in marketing, branding, community outreach, and project management. As the president and CEO, Adams advocates for African American owned businesses through mentorship, leadership development, and business solutions.

By leveraging her relationships with the media, community leaders and major corporations, Adams will provide members more access to resources and support.

She says the OAACC will provide technical assistance, access to capital, branding workshops, wealth management, business banking, certification workshops and ways to increase business revenue. Adams’ insists, “our business is your business and our monthly ‘Let’s Connect’ will give an opportunity for members to dialogue about individual needs.”

Adams started her career as a Jackson State College intern with her first eight-year chamber experience under the direction of the late Oscar J Coffey Jr., founder of the Northern California Black Chamber of Commerce. She served as chief of International Protocol for the City of Oakland. Her company organized the dedication of Frank Ogawa Plaza and continuously hosts community and political fundraising events.

Since 1999, she has produced more than 21 Madam C.J. Walker Business Community and Recognition Awards Luncheons that have featured nationally known celebrities and opinion makers.

Among her many accomplishments, Adams is currently the founding president emeritus of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.; founder of the Powerful Women of The Bay Awards, a founding member of the San Francisco Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) and the former commissioner of the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women. 

Ken Evans has more than 35 years of design, construction management, project management, and managerial and leadership experience in the engineering and construction industry and as an Air Force Officer. He is a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He also has a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA).

Evans served on both active duty and in the Air Force Reserve. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. Evans has been a small business owner himself in several different business ventures since 2001. His leadership, business and entrepreneurial background contributed to his selection in September 2013 as the President for the Urban Chamber of Commerce. Since joining the Chamber, he has been instrumental in leading the effort to forge strategic alliances, create new partnerships, boost Chamber membership, and, ultimately, better position Chamber businesses to pursue procurement opportunities in new, emerging and existing markets. His overall focus has been to connect Urban Chamber members, the majority of which are small businesses, to the global economy.

Finally, Evans has been actively engaged in the community since being assigned to Las Vegas, NV for military duty in 1989. He is a graduate of the 1993 Leadership Las Vegas program and the 1995 Project Blueprint program. Evans also served as the Sergeant at Arms for the Nevada State Senate during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature.

Please enter access code SPONSOR at the payment page, in order to register.

Please join the Chamber Leadership Alliance (CLA) for the CLA Solidarity 3A Action Series - Activism on Wednesday, December 15, 2021!

We will be joined by representatives of other diverse chamber and community organizations who are affiliated with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC). This conversation will focus on how to actively support our diverse communities through various forms of activism, emphasizing on the importance of collective action and solidarity in our communities. This 90-minute live interactive program follows our previous sessions which focused on acceptance and allyship.

Meet Our Panelists

Alejandro is the President and CEO of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, one of the largest Latino organizations in the state and a dynamic force promoting and uniting the Latino business community in Georgia.

With over 28 years of experience in finance, economic development and international trade, Alejandro has worked both in Mexico and the U.S.

Previous to his current position, he was in charge of the Trade Commission of Mexico - Bancomext office in Atlanta, and was responsible for the promotion of business opportunities with Mexico to seven states in the southeast including Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

He is also very involved in the Latino community in Atlanta and is part of several non-profits in different roles; he is a Board member of the Catholic Foundation for North Georgia, The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Vice-Chair of The Institute of Mexican Culture, a member of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s Atlanta Advisory Council and a former member of the Board of Directors of Ser Familia.

In 2015 Alejandro was part of the Mayoral Welcoming Atlanta Working Group, co-chairing the Economic Empowerment subcommittee; the working group made 20 recommendations to the mayor on how to make Atlanta more welcoming to immigrants.

Alejandro has been featured in Hispanic Business Magazine and is frequently interview by media such as CNN, Univision, Telemundo, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Mundo Hispanico among others.

Alejandro holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Chihuahua, Mexico, and post-graduate course in International Trade from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico.

Kevin Terrell Heard is a legacy Detroiter. He is a 2010 graduate of Clark Atlanta University (CAU), where he majored in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in Public Relations. In 2018, Heard received his MBA from Walsh College in Troy, MI. Currently, Heard works for Gannett | USA Today Network as the Diversity & Engagement Program Manager where he oversees Gannett’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity initiatives as it pertains to their Employee Resource Groups and social campaigns.

In 2013, Heard founded the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce. In May 2017, Kevin was honored as Crain’s Detroit Twenty in their 20’s for his work with the Chamber of Commerce and in 2021 named Crain Detroit Most Notable in LGBTQ Business.

Most recently, Heard, planned the largest LGBT Business and Diversity conference in Michigan in May 2021: COLOURS Conference and Pride Awards, which featured Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, trans model and activist Carmen Carrera and, and Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel.

 Heard lives by the quote “You are greatest when everything before you is obsolete and everything after bares your mark.”

A native of New York, Saint Hung is committed to helping to grow the small and medium-sized businesses in his hometown.  Before founding Universal Processing, Mr. Hung was with JPMorgan Chase for four years, helping to develop their New York City client base and accumulated a portfolio of over $600 million in assets.

Mr. Hung founded Universal Processing in 2003, aiming to serve minority businesses with the highest level of service and consultation.  As Founder and CEO, Saint Hung has defined the culture at Universal Processing to put people before profits and deliver exceptional services to the underserved minority small businesses, based on continuous technological innovation and providing said solutions in a timely and economical manner.  Among Saint Hung's recent laurels are the ETA/Transact Inaugural Forty Under 40 – 2018, "Top 10 CEOs in Finance" Award by Finext, and the President's Award of Priority Payment Systems Presidents Club in 2017.  Forbes featured Universal Processing on September 29, 2021, for their strategy in combating the COVID pandemic while empowering underserved small businesses.  In December 2020, was granted The Excellence Award as a USPAACC Fast 100 Asian American Business.

Under his leadership, Universal Processing has grown to become a FinTech industry leader while striving for escalated service levels for the underserved small business community.  An empowering force in the industry and the communities it serves, the company now helps over 20,000 merchant partners process over 3.0 billion dollars in transactions each year.  With service across all 50 states and offices in California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, besides its two New York offices, Universal Processing has grown to meet the demand for a much-needed service.

Charles O’Neal is President of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and is responsible for executing the mission of the nation’s oldest and largest African American chamber of commerce. The DBCC serves its members and the North Texas region through advocacy, public policy development, convention and tourism development and delivery of technical assistance.

In addition to serving for 14 years as the Chamber’s Vice President for Business & Economic Development, O’Neal has a long history of involvement in the Dallas community. O’Neal served as the DBCC’s Main Street Manager, working with community-based organizations, realtors, utilities, insurance and financial institutions to coordinate plans for revitalizing Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. O’Neal was instrumental in creating the MLK Boulevard Merchants Association.

A 20-plus year, award-winning career in the newspaper business provides the backdrop for O’Neal’s insight into the inner-workings of our city, state and nation and helped shape credible opinions on the entire spectrum of the African American Experience.

O’Neal serves on the Executive Committee of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce and was recently elected Vice Chairman of the U.S. Black Chamber, Inc.

Meet Our Moderator

Zakiya Larry elevates brands, moods and influence through media coaching, keynote speaking, brand polishing and strategic public relations.

Zakiya is a highly sought-after media coach, on-air talent, executive producer and award-winning public relations executive, is also the CEO of Quest Media Training, a strategic communications firm that provides interview preparedness, strategic messaging, crisis communications and public relations. Zakiya also served as the long-time director of media relations for T.D. Jakes Ministries and as the Communications Director at the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

Zakiya is currently an expert contributor for various media outlets, and her industry insight has been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine, Black Enterprise, Fox News Radio national junket tour, and more.

 As an internationally booked keynote speaker, she has moved hundreds of audiences both domestically and internationally, from The East Room at The White House to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Please join the Chamber Leadership Alliance (CLA) for the CLA Solidarity 3A Action Series - Allyship on Tuesday, October 12, 2021! This Action Series will be followed by Solidarity & Activism on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Attendees will hear from representatives of diverse chamber and community organizations who are affiliated with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC). This conversation will focus on issues around anti-oppression and allyship, and how to work for social justice as an ally. This 90-minute live interactive program follows our previous session which focused on acceptance.

Participants will be welcomed to discuss their takeaways from the panel talk.

Meet Our Panelists

Melanie Marie Boyer serves as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A CALU and Duquesne University alumna, is a Colombian & United States Citizen. Melanie is a devoted mom to two handsome young boys, ages 9 and 3.

An entrepreneur at heart, she is a business owner, previously working in freelance marketing, production, recruiting, speech coaching and brand management, among other things. She further serves the community through being a participating member of the RAD advisory Board, WPXI Gets Real Advisory Board, Port Authority Stakeholder Advisory Group and the UPMC Community Health Partnership. Melanie Marie was also awarded the 2021 Distinguished Leader award by Pittsburgh Professional Women, a 2021 Black History Achievement Award from the The Pastors Wives of the Churches of God in Christ’s Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania for her work in the Hispanic community and is nominated for the 2021 NFL Hispanic Leadership Award.

Mrs. Boyer is passionate about helping businesses to reach their full potential and getting funding into the undeserved American entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her goal is to enable rapid success, defined as self-sustaining job and revenue generating businesses that can improve underestimated communities and the region at large.

During the Covid-19 Pandemic Melanie immediately implemented a plan to ensure the sustainability and long-term effectiveness of the Pittsburgh Hispanic Chamber. She was one of the first to create a digital speakers series featuring local leaders, government agencies, tech founders, venture capitalists and more! She hosted online events ranging in topics from using Google to reach customers, how to understand, qualify and apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, how to apply for jobs online, and inspirational success stories from successful leaders in the Hispanic Community and continues to share these items today. Additionally, Melanie led the charge in providing underestimated community members with a platform to apply with the PPP with live support in multiple languages and worked one-on-one with business owners and professionals to provide resources.

In all aspects of her life, Melanie Marie strives every day to be the catalyst of forward movement and positive growth, seeking progress, prosperity and positivity through partnership.

Amanda joined Plexus LGBT + Allied Chamber of Commerce as the first Executive Director in March of 2019. Her work in the non-profit sector began while a student at Antioch College during her first co-op directing an AmeriCorps program serving at risk youth living in vulnerable communities. Since then she has been a servant leader and community activist. Amanda attended Wright State University where she pursued studies in non-profit management. After graduating she began a successful career in fundraising and development and returned to her alma mater, Antioch College, to run the annual fund and alumni relations departments. Her move to NEO was spurred by a wonderful opportunity to join the Museum of Contemporary Art leading the development department. Additionally, her community involvement and training include leadership and change facilitation through Points of Light Youth Leadership, People’s Institute for Undoing Racism, and Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

An avid reader and consumer of podcasts, Amanda has been most inspired by Encyclopedia Brown to choose her own adventure.

Eric Knowles has led the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce since 2014. He oversees the operations of the organization by implementing its strategic plans and policies as established by the Board of Directors.  Knowles is the successor to Bill Diggs, who resigned in 2013.

Knowles is the former Senior Director of Government Affairs for Sun Life Stadium and The Miami Dolphins. Some of his core accomplishments in this role include managing a 72,500 person facility (Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins and former Florida Marlins), managing tenant relations that included the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, Orange Bowl Championship, and related events; handling the training and management of 3,500 game day employees, and directing all government affairs, as it pertains to Sun Life Stadium and the Miami Dolphins.

Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University and is a proud veteran of the United States Army.

Khoa is the CEO / Founder of Kvibe Productions, Live Picture Studios, and Camdus, all branches of a single full-service video production & marketing & digital asset management company that was recognized as the fastest growing business in the Tri-state area by the SBDC / SBA in 2013. He’s also been recognized for his high-growth strategies, bringing in over 35% of revenues each year, which compelled the USPAACC, one of the largest Asian Chambers of Commerce in the U.S., to ask him to join and travel internationally with other businesses to further strategize his growth. In addition, in 2018, Khoa was announced to be award for the “Fast 100” award from the USPAACC.

 Khoa also recently completed his acquisition of an 8000 SQ FT building in Jersey City, NJ called “Kvibe Studios.” The intention of the studio is to be develop a co-working space targeted to creative media industry people. The idea behind it was to create a collaboration and opportunity zone within a small boutique area that would drive more work, more opportunities, new possibilities, and more importantly, a collaborative mindset that can pay it forward to those that deserves the success.

 Khoa believes in building platforms that create opportunities for others to succeed, thus moving the world forward in a positive direction. He believes that what we do today is not about us, but for future generations. “I want my children, their children, and the people we love to have amazing opportunities when they grow up,” Khoa says. “One of the things I can do is build a platform that can deliver a positive mindset. In order to have that platform, you must build success and prove it to the world.” If you have an idea on how to do it, then you have responsibilities to make it happen.

Meet Our Moderator

Zakiya Larry elevates brands, moods and influence through media coaching, keynote speaking, brand polishing and strategic public relations.

 Zakiya is a highly sought-after media coach, on-air talent, executive producer and award-winning public relations executive, is also the CEO of Quest Media Training, a strategic communications firm that provides interview preparedness, strategic messaging, crisis communications and public relations. Zakiya also served as the long-time director of media relations for T.D. Jakes Ministries and as the Communications Director at the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

 Zakiya is currently an expert contributor for various media outlets, and her industry insight has been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine, Black Enterprise, Fox News Radio national junket tour, and more.

 As an internationally booked keynote speaker, she has moved hundreds of audiences both domestically and internationally, from The East Room at The White House to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Please join the Chamber Leadership Alliance (CLA) for the CLA Solidarity 3A Action Series - Acceptance on Tuesday, September 14, 2021! This Action Series will be followed by trainings on Solidarity & Allyship on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 and Solidarity & Activism on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

The program will feature a special panel discussion from the CLA chambers’ affiliate leadership network around the topic of acceptance. You will hear directly from these leaders on issues around discrimination, exclusion, and racism/ethnocentrism faced by our diverse communities, and addressing issues of intersectionality that creates different modes of discrimination and privilege. In addition, this 90-minute live interactive program will focus on how we can better understand the unique needs and challenges of one another's communities.

Meet Our Panelists

Abdul-Jabbar (AJ) Shaikh started his commercial lending career in 2005. AJ focuses on helping the local business community maximize their Banking opportunities.  He does this through beneficial debt restructures, financing working capital, financing commercial real estate and funding business growth. AJ thrives on helping business reach their goals no matter the company or project size utilizing the SBA 7(a) and 504 programs.

AJ proudly joined the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce in 2016, and he brings his dedication to serving the business community with him. He is passionate about equality, and he hopes to share the mission and vision of the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and be a positive influence in the LGBTQ business community and at large.

AJ moved to Colorado in 2005, embracing the Colorado lifestyle.  He enjoys everything outdoors. When he is not hiking or cycling, he enjoys cooking and spending time with family & friends. As an active member in the community, and serves on the Board of Urban Peak and the Colorado Minority Business Advisory Council.

A graduate and post-graduate of Tennessee State University, she studied social science and speech and hearing science, and proceeded to hone her knowledge and skills as a communication specialist.  Passionate about helping people grow and connect, her transition to business development and diversity inclusion was a natural fit. With encouragement from local, national, and international project executives, Susan started Entrée Savvy in 2013.  She has had the pleasure of performing successfully as the diversity inclusion manager on the construction management teams for the Music City Center Project and the First Tennessee/Nashville Sounds Ballpark Project.

Her natural leadership is evident, as she has been nominated for the 2019 Best in Service & Philanthropy Power Moves Award, named to 100 Leading Women 2018 by NashvilleBusiness.net, she has been awarded as a 2017 Nashville Business Journal Woman of Influence, a 2016 Nashville Black Chamber Rising Star, is a member of the SBA Emerging Leaders Class of 2017, and she is a 2018 ATHENA International Leadership Award Nominee.

Personifying her belief that “Service is the Greatest form of Leadership”, Susan Vanderbilt contributes in the community as a member of AEC Power Women, MiTech Partners Advisory Board Member, and immediate past Director of Mentorship for Ladies Nashville Ladies America.  She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in which she serves as President of Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter.

Mrs. Pineda is a local businesswoman and the President & CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, where over the years, she has worked tirelessly to develop strong and long-lasting business relationships between Louisiana, the Hispanic Community and Latin America. She is a former Consul General of Honduras in New Orleans, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Mrs. Pineda has been the recipient of the Leadership Award by the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the High Achievement in Compliance by Subway Corporation, and Honoree of NOBA’s Men and Women of Fashion/Prix de Elegance.

 Most recently, Mrs. Pineda was recognized at the 2020 Diversity in Scouting Gala, receiving the “Vale la Pena Award.” Ms. Pineda was also recognized as a 2019 Role Model by the Young Leadership Council, 2018 Top Female Achiever by New Orleans Magazine, 2018 Minority Business Champion by the US Small Business Administration, CityBusiness Women of the Year Honoree, 2017 Partner of Year of WBEC South, and accepted the 2017 Chamber of the Year Award on behalf of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana.

Mr. Wong is an executive in residence of Plug and Play Technology Center, Mentor at the U.S. National Laboratory Entrepreneurship Academy, the University of California Entrepreneurship Academy, and Clean Tech Open.  Porter is also an executive in residence at  Alley/Verizon Ventures Palo Alto. He is a consultant of the US Department of Commerce MBDA (Minority Business Development Agency) Northern California Business Centers and California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development’s Small Business Technical Assistance Expansion Program. Porter is also a member of Ontario, Canada PV Caucus. Ontario, Canada PV Caucus is a working body that provides influential inputs to the government to shape solar photovoltaic governmental industry wide regulation and policy. Mr. Wong served as Chairman of IEEE Computer Society Santa Clara Valley Chapter. Prior to actively working with startups, he held c-level and senior management positions with four successful technology startups, two went IPO and two were acquired by Fortune 500 companies.

Meet Our Moderator

Deepti Dawar is the Vice President of Major Market Broadcasting, an independent media group that owns television stations and networks airing to 70 million people in more than 20 markets around the United States. A published designer, Deepti spent over a decade at major apparel brands including Gap Inc., Kenneth Cole & Donna Karan working in design and management.

In addition to her design & branding career, she pursued her interest in technology and has consulted as a technical advisor to publicly traded, television & broadband conglomerates such as New York Broadband/CMMB America & Geodesic.

In 2016, Deepti was awarded a fellowship by the National Association of Broadcasters for Broadcast Leadership Training. Deepti serves as the Co-President of US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, for the Western region & is a Founding Limited Partner at Neythri Futures Fund, a springboard for South Asian women to come together, deploy capital and share their expertise.

Deepti is fluent in 4 languages, conversant in 6 and spent parts of her career living in India and China.

Please join the Chamber Leadership Alliance (CLA) for the CLA Solidarity Program on June 8, 2021 during the opening ceremony of the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation's (USPAACC) 2021 CelebrASIAN Business + Procurement Conference!

Attendees will hear from CLA Executives about their commitment to the task of creating a more just society in which every member of our communities is safe, valued and fully recognized. This will be followed by a special panel discussion on Leadership and Solidarity.

Panel Discussion on Leadership and Solidarity: Affiliate Chamber Leaders from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) will discuss best practices, struggles, and challenges they have experienced in light of the growing discourse around violence and hate against diverse communities. Be a part of the conversation around the importance of expressing solidarity among minority communities and inclusive leadership.

Please enter access code CLA2021 in order to register below.

Meet the Panelists

As executive Director of The Pride Chamber (formerly MBA Orlando), Kellie draws from her extensive background in business development and journalism to help lead the LGBTQ business equality movement in Greater Orlando.

Working with a dedicated board of directors, Kellie has transformed The Pride Chamber since her arrival in 2016. The organization was honored by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) as the 2017 Chamber of the Year, for outstanding growth, sustainability and leadership. In 2018 Kellie was recognized as one of Business Equality Network’s National Top 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40. At NGLCC’s 2019 International Business and Leadership Conference, Kellie was honored with the inaugural Affiliate Chamber Leader of the Year Award. Most recently, Kellie was recognized during the 2020 pride month by U.S. Congressman Darren Soto as a distinguished leader in Central Florida.

Kellie served on the taskforce to formally establish the One Orlando Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization unifying the LGBTQ+ community of Central Florida with a coalition of local non-profits. She is a member of the HCCMO Supplier Diversity Council and serves on Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. Kellie also volunteers with the Central Florida Freethought Community (CFFC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the separation of state and church.

Veta T. Jeffery has spent her life fighting for the rights of others.  Veta began her professional career advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.  Her conflict resolution abilities allowed her to serve families by helping them to successfully navigate through education, employment, building and housing issues.  She went on to spend 18 years working in the financial services industry as a licensed professional and the Manager of Financial Services, where she ran agencies gaining national recognition.  She was a business owner for 10 years where she earned a 6-figure income running a business.  She received awards and recognition for her ability to develop strong leaders in business and community affairs and positioned them to serve as ambassadors offering a voice to the voiceless.  Mrs. Jeffery identifies as a Servant Leader and her desire is to be positioned to help facilitate avenues for others to have access.  She has had the opportunity to travel nationally speaking on behalf of various corporations where her role was to bridge diversity gaps; teach others to be financially independent and develop economic development programs for individuals and communities.  Her passion is in growing, strengthening and building communities and families.

In taking a brief leave of absence from the Financial Services Community, Mrs. Jeffery went on to work on a Special Assignment following Ferguson under Governor Nixon serving as Manager of Community Development in the Office of Community Engagement and Department of Community and Economic Development.  In this role she served on many significant projects with the most notable being her creation of the Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce.

She currently serves in a dual role as a Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development for Midwest BankCentre and the Executive Director of the Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce.  In her current position, Mrs. Jeffery identifies success as when she positions individuals or business owners to have access and/or opportunity.  The mission of the Chamber is to make an economic impact on the St. Louis region by organizing the black business community and creating an echo system through which we can build capacity for these owners.  She currently serves on the advisory board for The Empowerment Network where part of their mission is to heighten awareness of every level addressing Prostate Cancer and she sits on the Board Nationally for the US Black Chambers, Inc. Mrs. Jeffery is married to Pastor Tony Jeffery, Pastor of The Center of Life Christian Church and they are the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Ishmaiah age 18 and Toni age 8.

John is a corporate foundation executive with exceptional strategic skills and a proven ability to synchronize corporate goals with community needs, benchmark results, and streamline operations with new technology. He keeps strong community ties and has a long history of public service. He is experienced in building and empowering diverse teams, as well as offering a strategic and innovative approach to new challenges. He is a high energy individual with a genuine commitment to diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. He has experience leading non-profit, public, and for-profit public affairs efforts.

Sheetal Desai is an accomplished attorney and partner at The Trusted Lawyers, a Desai Law Group, PC. Her areas of practice include commercial transactions, real estate, corporate law and commercial litigation. A product of the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, Wisconsin, Sheetal began her professional career in Chicago. Two years later, she married Ritesh ("Rick") Desai and moved to the Atlanta area where she has been practicing law ever since.

Sheetal Desai has worked closely with many business and community leaders through her service as a public relations lead for BAPS Atlanta. She is the current President of the Southeast Chapter of the US Pan-Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC-SE). Sheetal has held various leadership position such as an advisory board member for United Way – Gwinnett and a member of the Community Outreach Board for Gwinnett County. Mrs. Desai has also volunteered her legal services for such causes as Asian Pacific American Council (APAC) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

Sheetal and her husband are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters. She enjoys cooking, exploring local and state parks, travelling and spending time with her family.

The Chamber Leadership Alliance (CLA) is proud to present you with Chamber Leadership Development Program (CLDP) on October 20, November 3 & 17!

This CLA program will leverage knowledge from subject matter experts on sustainability & administration to provide leaders with the necessary tools to grow sustainable chambers/chapters and advocacy organizations to effectively build and strengthen minority, women, LGBT, disability, and veteran business communities.

* A certification of completion will be presented to participants (via email) who have attended two (2) of three (3) trainings per core competency.

TRAINING REGISTRATION

November 17

Agenda Description

• Training 1, October 20: Your Organizational DNA  

  Thinking about your organizational DNA and making sure you have the right positions and the right people in the right seats for future growth is important. This session will focus on making sure you have the organizational foundations in place to create a solid organizational blueprint. You will also get practical advice on conducting effective interviews and setting up new hires, so they succeed. Learn how assessments can help you and your new hires understand each other on a deeper level.

• Training 2, November 3: Thriving Through Change and Disruption

  Change is all around us. It is constant and it is fast paced. Technology has played a large part in the innovation and transformation of our day-to-day work life. It is important that we understand the types of changes that companies go through as well as how, we, as humans embrace and adapt to change. We will also discuss some strategies for success, so you learn to thrive during change.

• Training 3, November 17: Employee Engagement-Moving from Motivation to Inspiration

  We want employees in our organizations to be able to put our customer’s needs first. In order to do that, we need to recognize that the people in our organization are our first customers. When we make sure our employees are supported and inspired, they can focus on serving the customer. Learn how to create a culture that embraces disruption, is innovative and has the ability the pivot quickly. Understand the difference between motivation and inspiration and learn how to build the in-depth relationships that are required for high employee engagement.

Meet the Expert

Kerri's calling is to help people connect with the world around them through personal authenticity. She works with clients to transform themselves from the inside out giving them the opportunity to live more meaningful, joyful and authentic lives so they can achieve their bad-ass dreams instead of sitting on the sidelines.

Kerri found herself drawn to the experience of being human after she watched her wife of 12 years fight and eventually lose a long and hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer--a loss that she thought she would not survive. And, after spending 35 years in corporate operations and business management, leading large teams through many changes and re-organizations, she found herself transitioned out of what she thought was her dream job. It was through these experiences that Kerri’s own transformational journey began. Her need to take a deep dive into her own internal operating system so she could find her authentic self instead of being the person she thought she needed to be inspired her to become a transformational coach.

In 2019, she received her Transformational Leadership certificate from Cardinal Stritch, and her ACC transformational coaching accreditation from Coachville. In 2020, she received her certification as a Higher Ground Leadership® coach with The Secretan Center as well as her PCC transformational coaching accreditation from Coachville.

The Chamber Leadership Alliance (CLA) is proud to present you with a Chamber Leadership Development Program (CLDP) on July 28, August 4, August 11, and August 25!

This CLA program will leverage knowledge from subject matter experts on leadership and chamber governance to provide leaders with the necessary tools to grow sustainable chambers/chapters and advocacy organizations to effectively build and strengthen minority, women, LGBT, disability, and veteran business communities.

* A certification of completion will be presented to participants (via email) who have attended two (2) of three (3) trainings per core competency.

TRAINING REGISTRATION

August 25

Agenda Description

• Pre -Training Workshop, July 28: Leadership and Chamber Governance - The Basics of Board Governance

  • Join us for a special training session focused on the basics of board governance. During this session, you’ll learn about the general roles and responsibilities of both board members and staff of chambers of commerce and get an understanding of general board structure. This session is designed for new board members and staff who want to better understand their role, as well as for seasoned professionals who want to refresh their knowledge.

• Part 1, August 4: Leadership and Chamber Governance - A Paid Staff Perspective

  •  During this session, you will hear from top CLA Affiliate Chambers with paid staff as they share their experiences, knowledge, and advice on best practices in Chamber governance. These chamber leaders will also discuss how to successfully build your chamber towards paid staff if you have not yet made that transition. This session is designed for both board members and staff who want to better understand their role to become an effective leader of their Chamber. 

• Part 2, August 11: Leadership and Chamber Governance - A Board Perspective

  • During this session, you will hear board members of CLA Affiliate Chambers talk about their experiences as volunteer-led organizations and share advice on best practices in Chamber governance from this model. Whether your Chamber has staff or not, we'll hear from board members on how they can manage their multiple hats and provide effective governance for their Chamber. This session is designed for both board members and staff who want to better understand their role to become an effective leader of their Chamber.

• Part 3, August 25: Being an Effective Leader: Cultivating Leaders

  • Topics Covered:

    o    Finding your purpose & Leading authentically through your “why” 

    o    Articulating the mission through every member on your team

    o    Effective & transparent communication

    o    Effectively receiving & giving feedback to foster trust

    o    Identify your leadership strengths & unique voice

    o    Future-pacing your goals to inspire a shared vision

    o    Using your strengths to root in your authority 

During this session, you’ll dig deeper into your unique perspective as a leader, using your purpose as a guidepost to effectively build and manage teams while staying on-mission. This session is designed for leaders at all levels of their career; new leaders will walk away with a clearer understanding of their authentic leadership strengths to root into their authority while seasoned leaders will gain new perspectives on how to reengage their teams and get everyone on the same path towards organizational success. 

Meet the Expert, August 25: Being an Effective Leader: Cultivating Leaders

President

BGSD Strategies

Michelle is an expert in scaling small businesses and is passionate about helping queer entrepreneurs thrive. With 17 years of experience as an entrepreneur, management consultant, and angel investor under her belt, she knows what it takes to help small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive while staying rooted in authenticity and honoring their unique identities. With a mission to help other queer entrepreneurs find community, access more resources, create safe business environments, and achieve success in their careers, Michelle launched BGSD Strategies and her Impact Scaling program with the intent on working with queer entrepreneurs across all intersections of their identities to scale fast.